Czech Republic Holds Day of Mourning for Victims of Worst Mass Killing
PRAGUE — The Czech Republic came to a standstill at noon Saturday as people across the country observed a minute of silence as part of a national day of mourning to…
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Czechs Mourn Victims of University Shooting as Police Tighten Security
Prague, Czech Republic — Czechs mourned the victims of the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting as police tightened security around schools and other public buildings across the country on Friday after…
Estonia Bolstering Security Measures With US Presence on Ground
During his November visit to Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, the next Kremlin threat will extend to the Baltics. VOA’s Eastern…
Migration to Europe Increases as Syrians, Afghans Top Asylum-Seekers
Washington — The number of people seeking asylum in European countries this year is projected to surpass 1 million, reaching levels not seen since 2016 when 1.16 million asylum-seekers were reported….
NATO Expands in 2023, but Timing of Ukraine’s Membership at Issue
London — 2023 saw NATO welcome its 31st member, as Finland joined the alliance in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Sweden’s application is still being held up by…
Charity: For Many Older People Christmas is ‘Hardest Day’
Christmas for many is a time of family togetherness and good cheer, but for older adults, it can too often be one of the year’s loneliest days. Age UK, a…
Syriac Christmas Message Stirs Debate in Turkish Parliament
Diyarbakir, Turkey/Washington — Turkey’s parliament erupted in controversy this week when the nation’s only Assyrian lawmaker delivered a Christmas message in his native Syriac language, offending other legislators who believe that…
White House Says It Is Preparing New Proposal to Free American Journalist Jailed in Russia
washington — The White House said Thursday that it is preparing a new proposal to Russia to secure the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and another jailed American. “We’re working hard…
EU Pays Last of Ukraine Budget Support for 2023
BRUSSELS — The European Union on Thursday paid the final tranche of a multibillion-euro support package to Ukraine to help keep its war-ravaged economy afloat this year, leaving the country without…
Turkish Referee Attack Puts Focus on Professionals as Erdogan Targets Elites
In Turkey, the assault of a referee in a major professional soccer match drew international condemnation and the unprecedented suspension of all league games. It also put a focus on…
After Approving Blessings for Same-Sex Couples, Pope Asks Vatican Staff to Avoid ‘Rigid Ideologies’
rome — Pope Francis urged Vatican bureaucrats Thursday to avoid “rigid ideological positions” that prevent them from understanding today’s reality, an appeal made days after he formally allowed priests to bless…
British Businesses Wait on Sidelines as China’s Economy Struggles
London — Beijing’s hopes for a swift return of foreign investors after it began lifting its harsh COVID-19 restrictions late last year were not answered in 2023. A new survey of…
About 500 Houses of Worship in Ukraine Ruined Due to Russian Invasion
About 500 houses of worship in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged since the 2022 Russian invasion, according to the American Institute for Religious Freedom. A Ukrainian group called “Temples…
FIFA, UEFA Acted Contrary to EU Competition Law in Blocking Super League, Court Says
BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top court ruled Thursday in a landmark decision for the future of soccer’s club competitions that UEFA and FIFA acted contrary to EU competition law in…
French Pharma Firm Ordered to Pay Millions Over Deadly Diabetes Drug
PARIS — A French appeals court on Wednesday ordered pharmaceutical firm Servier to pay more than $460 million in damages over a scandal involving a diabetes drug linked to hundreds of…
Iran Summons Sweden’s Envoy to Protest Ex-Official’s Life Sentence
tehran, iran — Iran’s foreign ministry summoned on Wednesday Sweden’s charge d’affaires to protest the life sentence handed down to a former Iranian prison official over mass executions in 1988. On…
Austrian National Convicted in UK Over Iran TV ‘Terror Plot’
LONDON — An Austrian national was found guilty in a U.K. court Wednesday of spying for a group that may have been preparing to attack an independent Iranian TV station in…
Gifts for Ukraine’s Frontline Soldiers: Candies, Children’s Drawings, Warm Necessities
Volunteers in Ukraine are putting together holiday gift packages for the country’s estimated 700,000 men and women serving in the military, including the tens of thousands serving on the front…
Health Care Under Siege as Ukraine Enters Second Winter of War
GENEVA — As Ukraine enters a second winter of war, the World Health Organization warns that the country’s public health system will come under enormous stress as millions of civilians try…
EU Agrees New Rules on Hosting Migrants, Seeks to Cut Numbers
Brussels — The European Union reached agreement early on Wednesday on new rules designed to share out the cost and work of hosting migrants more evenly and to limit the numbers…
Turkey Links Sweden’s NATO Bid to US Approving F-16 Jet Sales and Canada Lifting Arms Embargo
ankara, turkey — Ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership by Turkey’s parliament hinges on the U.S. Congress’ approval of Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has…
Zelenskyy Hopes for Speedier Prisoner Exchanges With Russia
kyiv, ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that a recent slowdown in prisoner swaps with Moscow was due to unspecified “reasons” on the Russian side, but expressed hope…
Man Claiming to Be Former Russian Officer Wants to Testify to ICC About Ukraine Crimes
THE HAGUE — A former Russian soldier has sought asylum in the Netherlands and wants to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) about war crimes by Russia that he witnessed…